007 makes his triumphant return to the video game space in the form of 007 First Light! Can this action adventure game set a new bench mark for James Bond? Or are you left shaken, but not stirred?
Bond. Reimagined
When I think of my childhood, games like GoldenEye and Nightfire stand out as some of the most memorable times I had. These games captured the essence of playing as James Bond with superb stories and addictive multiplayer. Then, the James Bond games fell off a cliff with a number of entirely forgettable releases. Needless to say, when IO Interactive (Creators of the legendary Hitman franchise) announced 007 First Light, I had hope again. Thankfully, my optimism was rewarded. This is a fantastic James Bond game and possibly the best one ever made.
Reimagining Bond is no easy feat as there have been numerous different iterations of the world famous spy. However, IO have managed to pull it off with their own version of the classic character. The story takes place way before Bond gets his 00 status, and effectively serves as an origin story. The game begins with Bond working as a Royal Navy aircrewman, who, due to unforeseen circumstances, comes into contact with an MI6 operation.
The prologue sets the tone for showing off the classic Bond wit and charm as he makes his way to his objectives. After this initial incursion, Bond is summoned to MI6 and offered the chance to work for M and her organisation of spies. The 00 programme has been shut down years before due to past events. Now, with the chance to become a part of a brand new 00 programme, Bond signs up with great enthusiasm.
Globetrotting Begins
The story of 007 First light takes place across 17 different chapters. These chapters are long and rich in narrative. The early chapters slowly take their time showing Bond going through training. At the same time, the game introduces key and classic characters Moneypenny and M. The new iterations of each iconic character feel unique and refreshing; they really feel organic and perfectly suited to the franchise. Bond is taken across different continents and environments as he tries to uncover a mystery tied to the old 00 programme. It’s a tale of classic spy espionage, full of romance, comedy and over the top action. This is definitely more Casino Royale than Die Another Day in terms of realism. There are twists and turns which will shock and excite you. Thus, everything is propelled by the performance of Bond by Patrick Gibson, who is magnificent.
Gibson has managed to portray Bond in his mid twenties perfectly. He’s brash, cocky but full of heart and dedication to his country. The writing is excellent across the story and has the intrinsic DNA of a Bond film. There are witty comments, flirty banter and over the top world domination lines from an unexpected cast of villains. This story makes Bond feel more human and flawed than ever before. In a world full of brooding video game characters, this version of Bond feels refreshing. This is due to his naivety and care free attitude. A special mention should also be made of Lenny James, who portrays Greenway, Bond’s teacher from MI6 training. Greenway becomes more complex as a character as the story unfolds. A superb globe trotting tale of saving the world!
Espionage Evolved
IO Interactive’s DNA is stealth based action and for many years they perfected their craft with Hitman, but with 007 First Light they had to evolve and innovate. Barring a few missteps, the gameplay of 007 First Light is exactly how a James Bond game should play and feel. If you haven’t played a Hitman game before, 007 First light is played from a third person perspective. At its core, this is a stealth based game, as you sneak in the shadows as Bond. Traversal is smooth and more integral to the gameplay than I had expected as you climb, shimmy and crawl your way through different areas.
Like Hitman, James has a multitude of distractions at his disposal which are tied to his different sets of gadgets you unlock throughout the story. Whether it’s a laser gadget, sickness dart or rocket pen, the possibilities to create chaos are unmatched. They act as consumables, forcing you to use them in precise moments and scour environments for energy to replenish. These are fantastic and create unique moments for the player in the sandbox style levels most chapters take place in.
Speaking of the sandbox levels, the amount of player choice available is wonderful. These levels can be tackled in different ways as Bond can eavesdrop on different conversations to gain hints or clues on where to go. This enabled me to tailor the levels to how I saw fit whether I wanted to go loud and shoot or sneak my way through a tight spot. In terms of combat, Bond can either engage in hand to hand or ranged. Hand to hand has a methodical, brutal style which feels wonderful through dodges, counters and spectacular environmental attacks.
Slightly Shaken
Ranged combat is where the game slightly struggles. The shooting feels off at times and then far too overpowered the next during the moments Bond is given the license to kill. Still, this is a minor issue and for the most part, shooting is serviceable. There are also some moments where you drive a car or boat; these are few and far between and I would have liked to have seen more. The game launches with a TacSim mode which acts as a sandbox to try challenges and different scenarios. Alas, it failed to grasp my attention for long. Finally, there are collectibles and intel you can pick up along the way which will enrich your experience, with classic easter eggs from the franchise. Overall, a wonderful effort in making the player truly feel like 007.
The World Is Enough
A James Bond game needs to ooze style and class and First Light does exactly that! Every location you visit in the story is simply gorgeous. From the sights of Malta to the exotic hotel in Vietnam, everything in this game looks breath-taking. MI6 and the Q-Lab are dripping in detail and style. The visuals are vibrant and eye catching everywhere you look; the level of detail in the larger levels really makes you stop and admire the view. Similarly, cutscenes and the character models are equally impressive, with of course Bond being the highlight. The details in the facial animations really help accentuate the actors’ performances.
The UI used for the Q-Watch is sleek and stylish and helps you plot and plan your approach to the levels. There are also some different cosmetics you can buy for completing challenges, showcasing Bond’s style! Sadly, I encountered a few technical glitches and bugs but thankfully these weren’t too immersion breaking. Overall, a brilliant effort in visual presentation.
Thankfully, when it comes to audio design and soundtrack, there are absolutely no issues. Every punch thrown sounds weighty and brutal; every bullet fired sounds deadly and every gadget used sounds positively delightful! As previously mentioned, this is a stellar voice cast and every single character is brought to life wonderfully. The game’s theme song is First Light by Lana Del Rey and it fits the theme and setting of the game perfectly. James Bond films always have great opening music credits and this game is no exception- a brilliant job! Along with a great theme song, a stellar soundtrack mixes orchestral sounds with modern themes. The tracks are different for each location, making it a truly unique experience. The composers said they wanted the orchestral moments to feel earned and I couldn’t agree more as they roar during climatic moments. Superb!
Verdict
IO Interactive already had a glowing reputation with their work on the Hitman franchise and now, they’re reaping the rewards with 007 First Light. A brilliant, heartfelt and action packed James Bond story coupled with stunning visuals, gripping gameplay and a killer soundtrack. Add in a masterful effort in voice acting and you have the modern day quintessential James Bond game. I cannot wait to see where these developers take 007 next. James Bond is back!
